Singer Johan pays tribute to his mother-in-law’s ‘best brother in the world’

On a – yet again – drizzly, gray day, the nice scent greets you as soon as you enter. For many West Frisians this may be an air reminiscent of the past, but in the Wenners family the brother is still regularly on the table. “The children and grandchildren often ask for it,” says Annemarie Wenners. “They love it. But what child doesn’t?”

And so the inspiration came from son-in-law Johan Keeman, who is a singer and guitarist. “We ate it here once last year and then I thought: ‘There is a song in it, in my mother-in-law’s brother’. And so it happened.”

And so the musical ode sounds through the living room of the Wenners family:

‘I will tell the brother, my mother-in-law’s brother.

Just put it in the pan and I’ll still enjoy it.’

Keeman laughs. “To be honest, it was a good thing that brother rhymes with mother-in-law. But I also like to eat it myself. Tasty, with a little syrup. But also the way my mother-in-law makes it. She often adds something extra to it, such as ginger.”

Annemarie complements her son-in-law. “You can actually add anything to it. I sometimes make it with peaches, apricots or coconut. And of course I have to add syrup and butter on top. Because the base doesn’t have much flavor to it. I always grease the pan. with cinnamon. Then it doesn’t stick and it gets more flavor.”

Although the brother has faded into the background for many people, singer Johan remains enthusiastic about the dish. “It’s just something beautiful, a piece of culture from our region. That’s nice to keep.”

Once he has played his song, the reward follows in culinary form. Annemarie puts her specialty in front of him. With syrup of course. It doesn’t take long before the board is empty again. “My mother-in-law’s brother, that is the tastiest.”